Terrain

Public Transport

No public transport. Bus number 56 to Glendale passes closest to the start; ask to get off at Orbost road end. This is 2km from the start.

Hillwalking in Winter

Please note that hillwalking when there is snow lying requires an ice-axe, crampons and the knowledge, experience and skill to use them correctly. All route descriptions and difficulties given here are for summer conditions and may not be suitable in winter. See our Winter Essentials page for basic information on the skills, techniques and knowledge needed for winter hillwalking.

Accommodation

Walk Description

Stage 1

Take the B884 Glendale road and turn onto the minor road to Orbost at the first corner. After a kilometre and
a half the road bends to the right, before bending left again in another half kilometre. Park on the verges near
the second bend, avoiding blocking any passing places; if this isn't possible you may need to park just short
of Orbost House. The walk starts along the far bank of the little stream just before the bend, soon curving to
the west and passing along the edge of a ravine. Above the ravine, head southwest and then south towards the indistinct
top of Beinn Bhuidhe, keeping to the height of the land. From Ben Bhuidhe continue across the moor, still keeping
to the height of the land to reach An Cruachan to the southwest. From here, the way ahead to Healabhal Beag, the higher of Macleod's Tables, is clear - appearing as more of a cone than a table from here.

Stage 2

Continue across the moor to reach dryer but increasingly steep grassy slopes. The way up to the Table appears
to be barred by a great rocky prow. Continue to the foot of this; from here an eroded path heads to the right
to bypass the cliffs; soon it zig-zags up broken ground and eventually continues as a scree path. At the top of
this bear left to reach the grassy ridge above the prow. This leads much more easily up to reach the rim of the
plateau. The views, particularly over Loch Bracadale to the Cuillin, are superb. Continue
across the plateau, passing one wind-shelter cairn and heading towards a second buolt around the trig point.

Stage 3

Healabhal Bheag is the higher of the Tables though Bheag means little and Mhor means big. The reason is that
Healabhal Mor has a much greater bulk when seen from the glens. There are a number of legends associated with
the Tables. According to the most popular, the Chief of Clan MacLeod was invited to a banquet by King James V
in Edinburgh. Hearing the taunts from the assembled dignitaries, Macleod boasted that he had a grander table and
more beautiful candles on Skye. When some of these dignitaries came to Dunvegan, Macleod led them up Healabhal
Mhor where he had laid out a great feast, with clansmen standing round the edge of the plateau holding torches.
An older legend relates to St Columba's arrival on Skye. At this time the hills had pointed summits, but when
Columba was not offered a bed by any locals, divine intervention led to the levelling of the hilltops, providing Columba with a bed and table.

Stage 4

For the descent, head northwest across the plateau and then down the steep grass slope, avoiding any rocky
sections to the left. To continue to Healabhal Mhor, it is possible to skirt the slopes of Beinn na-Uamha by following
a shelf to its right. Beyond a further descent precedes the increasingly steep climb to the second table. Walking
up the final perfectly even grass slope to the plateau feels like you are preparing for take off!

Stage 5

The summit of Healabhal Mhor is slightly to the left near the start of the plateau, which is surprisingly a
little boggy. The view is slightly less fine than than from Healabhal Bheag, except for a beautiful vista of the
complex shores of Loch Dunvegan and its many islands. Continue east to the far side of the plateau.

Photo
- John Allan

Stage 6

The descend is another steep, mostly grassy slope. When the ground begins to level off, it is best to head
off southeast down to the Osdale River. Cross this when you can, and head across country for the shallow bealach
(pass) between Creagan Dearga and Beinn Bhuidhe (careful navigation may be required), where you will rejoin your
outward route and the ravine leading back to the start.